Walk Thru The Word: Ephesians 5: 1-6  (ESV)

Be imitators of God

1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

3But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Message map :  Ephesians 5: 15–21

Ephesians Session #11

“The Wise Walk Circumspectly to Convert within The Context”

  1. Single Sentence BOTTOM LINE:

“God sees the big picture context of what is going on in the world, and when we tap into God’s wisdom, we see it too!” 

  1. OPENING LINE:

Have you considered how God wants us to walk in “The Wisdom of His Holy Spirit to see as God sees, yet it will be dimly through a glass? (1 for 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.)

 THE INTRODUCTORY TRANSITION

Eph 5: 15 encourages us to Walk Circumspectly to Convert within The Context”  Today, we’ll see how Eph 5: 15-21 illustrates several principles God has given me in 3D Leadership.

 WHAT’S MY MAIN POINT?

The Bible says in Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.”

Eph 5: 15–21 is a discipleship call to get in touch with real wisdom by learning how to see as God sees.  3D Leadership does this as well as any system designed by humans.

 WHY DOES IT MATTER?

The only way for us to become 7partners with Christ and participate In 10discerning what pleases the Lord and overcoming 11the unfruitful works of darkness, which 12though are shameful must be exposed, per Eph 5: 11 is for Christ’s Holy Spirit! to awaken, disciple and train us to see as God sees.

 Eph 5: 15 15The Wise Way To Walk,

15Look carefully then how you walk, (the way we conduct our life,) not as unwise but as wise,

15Look carefully = That is, it carries what is seen into the non-physical (immaterial) realm so a person can take the needed action (respond, beware, be alert).

Conduct your life in a comprehensively around,” which intensifies 3961 /patéō, “walk”) – properly, walk around, i.e. in a complete circuit (going “full circle”).

not as unwise (unskilled, unwise, foolish because rejecting God’s leading us into His will) but as wise, (wise, learned, cultivated, skilled, clever. Denotes primarily one who has quick and correct perceptions, hence, ‘discreet,’ ‘circumspect,’

If we are wise in our own eyes, we miss God’s wisdom —

God destroys man’s wisdom —

The world often mistreats those who have God’s wisdom —

God’s wisdom is required to know what is good —

God is the epitome of wisdom. Christ is wisdom incarnate

Eph 5:15  Walking circumspectly

Eph. 5:15 (KJV) See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Walking circumspectly means we conduct our lives by being …

 Eph 5: 15 15 Walking Wisely To Fulfill your ministry

15Walking Wisely To Fulfill your ministry requires…

  1. Understanding what must be done = the mission that Matters Most!
  2. with whom it must be done = Rally the resources x
  3. how it must be done, given this particular set of CIRCUMSTANCES = context

The “Context” for any operation consists of all the related background and relevant activities that took place that make up a an event, a scenario or a setting.

…not as unwise (unskilled, unwise, foolish because rejecting God’s leading us into His will) but as wise, (wise, learned, cultivated, skilled, clever. Denotes primarily one who has quick and correct perceptions, hence, ‘discreet,’ ‘circumspect,’

Introduction To The Three-Dimensions of Leadership:  Negotiating Your Mission, Resources and Context (MRC)

The 3D MRC Elements Are:

 Eph 5: 1-2 beloved children Relate To their Father Through Initiation, imitation & immolation,

15Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

15Look carefully then how you walk, (the way we conduct our life,)

15Look carefully = That is, it carries what is seen into the non-physical (immaterial) realm so a person can take the needed action (respond, beware, be alert).

Discipleship Competence

is a Factor of

“FOSA” = Faith, Observation, Submission, Achievement

FAITH = Faith, Advancing In The Heat of battle)

FAITH = Faith, Advancing In The Hope of victory)

The “Context” for any operation consists of all the related background and relevant activities that took place that make up a setting, an event or a scenario.  If a large rock is dropped off a bridge into a body of water, most people only trace the ripple effects.  3D MRC training helps us determine “who dropped the rock; why was it dropped at that particular time; who ordered the rock to drop, or was it the random event (accidental or intentional) of a loan operative; whom did the rock hit; what boats or people did its ripples impact, and how are the rock dropper and those impacted related to one another?

To get a composite of the context, one answers those questions and others and examines them for common denominators/elements.  3D MRC also teaches that “Problems only can be solved by asking the right questions.” Using processes like Toyota’s “5 Why’s” can put the hounds on the right trail that can lead to an answer.  To be an objective problem solver, however, one also must overcome the following: a) presuppositions, b) sentimental feelings for others, of whom we are fond c) loyalty to people who have been true and helpful in the past; c) past learning of wrong information that was provided to us by well-meaning, but deceived people; d) misinformation that may be provided by “controlled opposition” who are people who claim to be on our side, but who are there to misdirect the investigation away from discovering what really is going on.

Eph 5: 1-2 beloved children Relate To their Father Through Initiation, imitation & immolation,

15Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

15Look carefully then how you walk, (the way we conduct our life,)

15Look carefully = That is, it carries what is seen into the non-physical (immaterial) realm so a person can take the needed action (respond, beware, be alert).

Discipleship Competence is a Factor of:

“FOSA” = Faith, Observation, Submission, Achievement

FAITH = Faith, Advancing In The Heat of battle

FAITH = Faith, Advancing In The Hope of victory

The “Context” for any operation consists of all the related background and relevant activities that took place that make up a setting, an event or a scenario.  If a large rock is dropped off a bridge into a body of water, most people only trace the ripple effects.  3D MRC training helps us determine “who dropped the rock; why was it dropped at that particular time; who ordered the rock to drop, or was it the random event (accidental or intentional) of a loan operative; whom did the rock hit; what boats or people did its ripples impact, and how are the rock dropper and those impacted related to one another?

To get a composite of the context, one answers those questions and others and examines them for common denominators/elements.  3D MRC also teaches that “Problems only can be solved by asking the right questions.” Using processes like Toyota’s “5 Why’s” can put the hounds on the right trail that can lead to an answer.  To be an objective problem solver, however, one also must overcome the following: a) presuppositions, b) sentimental feelings for others, of whom we are fond c) loyalty to people who have been true and helpful in the past; c) past learning of wrong information that was provided to us by well-meaning, but deceived people; d) misinformation that may be provided by “controlled opposition” who are people who claim to be on our side, but who are there to misdirect the investigation away from discovering what really is going on. [bctt tweet=”Discipleship Success is Determined by a Daily Direction that Leads to a Desired Destination  ” username=”LibertyCF3″]

 7.MOVE TOWARD APPLICATION?

Discipleship Success is Determined by a Daily Direction that Leads to a Desired Destination  

Diagram expresses the effectiveness of MRC thinking to improve our Values & Vision .

Discipleship Competence Requires Seeing In MRC

1 ) Eph. 5:15 (KJV) thinking and walking circumspectly, broadens our perspective and increases our wisdom and effectiveness.

2) Mission Matters Most

3) RALLY  RESOURCES TO GOD’S MiSSION

4) CONVERT WITIN THE  CONTEXT!

  1. WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Converting within the Context   

(Read-Learn-Lead: The Three Dimensional Leader, pgs. 275-278)

  1. The Context consists of the background and related circumstances that make up the setting for an event or process. The context often includes what precedes and follows an action or series of actions, a phenomenon, a circumstance, an event or a thing.
  2. The context must be fully understood and assessed to properly analyze an event, process or issue.
  3. To solve problems you must know whether the context in which it occurs is simple or complex, meaning consisting of many different but interrelated or connected parts.
  4. Understanding activities and events as part of a network of actions or processes is the context that clarifies meaning and helps unravel the reasons why things occur the way they do.
  5. III-D leaders convert within the context of relevant variables that impact how resources should be deployed to fulfill the mission.
  6. Keeping the context in focus means seeing the big/bigger  picture in which the organization operates.
  7. III-D leaders convert within the context of other’s requests while not micromanaging.

The Context for Christianity  

(Read-Learn-Lead: The 3D Leader, pgs. 275-278)

Circle the letter corresponding to the items that include the “context” disciples must negotiate to walk effectively for Christ:

Eph 5: 16-17 17The Foolish Lack Perspective But The Wise See The Context of God’s will

16making the best (most) use of the time (every opportunity), because the days are evil (heavily influenced by pain-ridden wickedness). 17Therefore do not be foolish (lacking perspective due to…1. being without reason, senseless, inconsiderate, 2. being short-sighted, 3. being without perceiving the “over-all picture” needed to act prudently; 4. lacking perspective because of failure to grasp cause-and-effect relationships. 5. willful ignorance in understanding what prompts inevitable effects and consequences),

Eph 5: 16-17 16making the best (most) use of the time =

BEST = REDEE’MING (NW 1828), participle present tense Ransoming; procuring deliverance from captivity, capture, bondage, sin, distress or liability to suffer, by the payment of an equivalent.

Strongs Concordance Redeeming =

but understand (1. perceive/discern by synthesizing — to pull together as one comprehensive, inter-locking whole, the facts and ideas that make up a context. 2. Understanding to synthesize means to arrive at a summary or final understanding with complete life-applications.

what the will (“the preferred-will (2307 /thélēma) of the Lord is — (to respond with complete life-applications).

Eph 5: 18 18The Foolish Are Filled with Wine (alcohol) The Wise Are Filled with the Spirit     

18And do not get drunk (become intoxicated & controlled by) with wine, for that is debauchery, (unredeemable reckless indiscretion) but be filled (be cram filled to individual capacity) with the Spirit (with the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit) ,

Regarding Drunkenness the Bible also says .. .

Of debauchery the Bible also says is is …

Regarding Being Filled with the Spirit the Bible shows many people being filled with the Holy Spirit.

It even shows that at different times the same person is filled again and again with the Holy Spirit.  “Filled” and “full,” occur eleven times in the first nine chapters of Acts. This is perhaps because of one of the following reasons:

  1. our carnal natures cannot perpetually stay in submission to God’s Spirit
  2. Gen 6:3 Yahweh said, “My Spirit will not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; yet will his days be one hundred twenty years.”
  3. Isaiah 57:16 Indicates our carnal natures could not stand the constant pressure of the Holy Spirit’s conviction. Berean Study Bible says, For I will not accuse you forever, nor will I always be angry; for then the spirit of man would grow weak before Me, with the breath of those I have made.  The NLT says, For I will not fight against you forever; I will not always be angry. If I were, all people would pass away— all the souls I have made.

Eph 5: 19-20  the 4 Types of Christian Songs

19addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

From vs. 18 we see one thing the Holy Spirit does is motivate us to 19address one another in

19psalms (Scripture set to music, accompanied by sophisticated musical arrangements.)

19hymns (Doctrinally based songs that praise and extol the virtues of the triune God, manifested in the flesh in Jesus Christ)

19spiritual songs, (songs emanating from the Holy Spirit that reveal God’s virtues and character in relation to its effects on our human relationship and experiences with God through His Holy Spirit. (Such songs never contradict Scripture)

20giving thanks (songs that 1. acknowledge “God’s grace works well,” for our eternal gain and His glory; 2. express “thankfulness for God’s good grace”).

 

  1. HOW AM I CLOSING?

“God sees the big picture context of what is going on in the world, and when we tap into God’s wisdom, we see it too!”

When we see as God sees, we have courage to submit to God and to each other!

Eph 5: 19-20 the 4 Step Worship Process

4 Step Worship Process is a road map of songs that transition us through the courts of praise to the holy of holies:

The songs, generally …

  1. a) move from fast to slow, and
  2. b) through expressing these four concepts:

Another way to think of the 4 steps is …

19addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Eph 5: 20–21 20Growth Is Giving Thanks to god Always & submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ 

20giving thanks (acknowledge “God’s grace works well,” for our eternal gain and His glory) always (at all times) and for everything (The emphasis is on seeing your individual circumstance in relation to the total picture of God’s saving work) to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

21submitting (1. to subject. 2. under God’s arrangement,” i.e. submitting to the Lord. 3. to subordinate. 4. to submit to one’s control; to yield to one’s admonition or advice) to one another out of reverence (1. fear mingled with respect and esteem. 2.  admiration of something great)

Regarding Reverence, (NW 1828) says

  1. Fear mingled with respect and esteem; veneration) for Christ. 2. The fear acceptable to God, is a filial fear, an awful reverence of the divine nature, proceeding from a just esteem of his perfections, which produces in us an inclination to his service and an unwillingness to offend him.

Reverence is nearly equivalent to veneration, but expresses something less of the same emotion. It differs from awe, which is an emotion compounded of fear, dread or terror, with admiration of something great, but not necessarily implying love or affection. We feel reverence for a parent, and for an upright magistrate, but we stand in awe of a tyrant. This distinction may not always be observed.

1 Peter 3: 1-6 Fear prevents us from submitting to God and each other. One must overcome fear to submit. 

1 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

Submitting To Christ To Synthesize Mission, Vision and Values into Comprehensive Discipleship Strategy

Synthesizing = seeing as one the facts and ideas of a context as a comprehensive (inter-locking) whole

mission =

Values =

Vision =

Core Operational Success Dynamics COSD (“COS-Dee”)

Let’s Pray ….  [email-download-link namefield=”YES” id=”402″]

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